I don’t believe that a single good thing comes out of analyzing, criticizing, or “calling out” other believers in a public space.

I don’t believe that the role of “the watchman on the wall” is to publicly decry those who are giving their lives to expand the Kingdom of God.

I don’t believe that focusing on what divides us will ever bring greater fruit than focusing on what unites us.

I don’t believe that the church of today is a dirty, washed up prostitute (as the “watchmen” preach) that people should abandon.

I don’t believe that the church’s best days are behind her.

I don’t believe that a single individual could ever feed the hungry, clothe the poor, shelter the homeless, or lead the lost to Christ like a body of believers (church) can. In fact, I can’t think of any “watchmen” that are actually doing any of those things.

I don’t believe in judging others by half-baked Biblical interpretations, popular opinion, or talk show rhetoric. Jesus said that a tree is to be known by its fruit.

I don’t believe all pastors are crooks, all politicians are crooked, all Muslims are terrorists, all gays are going to hell, all Jews are cheap, all blacks are gangsters, all whites are privileged, or that Jesus ever stereotyped anyone.

I don’t believe that using fear to manipulate people into buying your products is honorable.

I don’t believe that mean-spirited political, religious, or cultural statements, memes, or sayings count for intelligent discussion and I don’t believe they make a person look smart, compassionate, or Christ-like.

I don’t believe in bullying even if you’re in the popular majority, unpopular minority, or feel entitled for other reasons.

I don’t believe that, because a Christian band has a symbol on their CD cover that vaguely resembles a pagan rune, they are Satan worshipers trying to deceive their listeners.

I don’t believe that God gave us the Bible so we can use it to show off how smart we are, right we are, or “holy” we are.

I don’t believe there is anything humble, Christ-like, or Biblical about claiming to be a part of a remnant and that other Christians are going to hell.

I don’t believe that the King James Version is the only “real” version of the Bible, that only hymns should be sung, or that woman shouldn’t teach in church.

I don’t believe that “conspirators who have infiltrated the church” will be the church’s demise. Jesus said “…I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

I don’t believe being an American 501c3 church automatically makes it a bad church. Each church is different just like each person is different.

I don’t believe anyone is “too far gone” to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

I don’t believe that when Jesus said “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” he intended for us to behave like spoiled celebrities, selfish children, or angry pharisees.

I believe that Jesus loves me. I believe Jesus loves you. I believe that his death and resurrection is a complete work, lacking nothing.

I believe that if we spent more time loving, praying, giving, serving, and going, we might actually change the world instead of hating on each other.

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9 Comments

I agree with what you have written, Lee. However I would change just one small thing about it. I would change the word believe with know. I know that there is no one who is so far gone that God cannot get hold of him or her. I know that focusing on what we have in common is a much better way to approach any situation with others. I know that God is and because I know that I can live for Him and not for myself.

Yes, and amen. I was in agreement with you and I can see how changing believe to know is like making your yes, yes. And the King James Version was made specifically for kings, by King James order. Bravo! A well done post.

I agree with much of what you say but had never heard much about these “watchmen” before. It is true that ecumenism and “can’t we all just get along” is the popular ethos of the day…experience just as valid as doctrine etc. Being discerning is, to many folks, just being “divisive”. Some of this popular ethos was the driving force behind the ECT document…which many great men of God did not endorse. The Apostle Paul was very concerned about heresy creeping into the Church and perverting the Gospel. How does it creep in? Probably through those who profess to be Christians, but who are not. If the early church was concerned on these issues, we should be as well… all done in love.

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About Me

Hi! I'm Lee Bezotte. I write and work at a church in the Midwest. I also run a small online marketing company and do missions work. I do all this while raising three boys (two of them on the Autism Spectrum) with my super-hero wife.